Fake News: Osun Govt sets up committee on cybercrimes, cyber bullying
By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo
Osun State Government has set up a Cyber Crime Action Committee in order to guard against to cybercrimes, cyber bullying and deliberate online false news.
The government, in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, said the committee is to give effect to relevant provisions of existing law.
He stated that the step becomes necessary to sanitize the governance space and ensure that politicking and governance take place under an atmosphere of responsibility, decency and honesty.
According to him, the increasing wave of fake news negatively affects both the government and the opposition and that it is high time all operators are brought within the compass of the law in the exercise of their rights as guaranteed by the constitution.
Alimi said the committee domiciled at the Ministry of Justice has as members journalists and legal practitioners, misforming the public that the mandate is to ensure that fake news are nipped in the bud, no matter who the perpetrators are.
The Commissioner stressed that the Committee is to apply relevant sections of the Cybercrime Act of 2015 as operational clauses to ensure all stakeholders operate within the law in the exercise and enjoyment of their fundamental human rights.
Section 24 (1) of the Cybercrime Act, 2015 reads: “A person who knowingly or intentionally sends a message or other matter by means of computer systems or network that is grossly offensive, pornographic or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character or causes any such message or matter to be sent, or he knows to be false, for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred, ill will or needless anxiety to another or causes such a message to be sent, commits an offence under this Act and is liable on conviction to a fine of not more than N7, 000, 000.00 or imprisonment for a term, not more than three years or both”
He disclosed that the committee will host its maiden action meeting on Monday even affirming the commitment of Governor Ademola Adeleke to delivery of good governance, due process, rule of law, and fear of God.
He made this announcement via his X account on Sunday.
Alausa had visited a syringe factory, Afrimedical Manufacturing and Supplies Limited in Ogun State, along with the Director General of NAFDAC, Mojisola Adeyeye.
According to the Minister, this move is intended to promote local manufacturers in the country.
The minister stated further that his visit is aimed to address the challenge of substandard medical device imports and promote indigenous manufacturing.
Highlighting the government’s commitment to supporting local industries, Alausa emphasised the importance of restructuring syringe production in Nigeria to ensure the availability of high-quality products and create employment opportunities.
On her part, Adeyeye affirmed the Agency’s decision to cease granting import authorisations for syringes, redirecting focus towards local manufacturers, and collaborating with them to enhance production standards.
While acknowledging the initial cost implications of locally manufactured syringes, Adeyeye stressed that increased production volumes would drive down prices over time.
